U.S. patent number 5,969,294 [Application Number 09/001,847] was granted by the patent office on 1999-10-19 for fiber optic connector cabinet with rotatably mounted adapter panels.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Siecor Operations, LLC. Invention is credited to Joseph K. Dodd, Steiner A. Eberle, Jennifer Noble, Andrew Stanush.
United States Patent |
5,969,294 |
Eberle , et al. |
October 19, 1999 |
Fiber optic connector cabinet with rotatably mounted adapter
panels
Abstract
A fiber optic connector cabinet is provided that has at least
one adapter panel rotatably mounted to the cabinet and that carries
at least one fiber optic connector adapter. The angular position of
the adapters relative to a front plane of the cabinet is readily
adjustable.
Inventors: |
Eberle; Steiner A. (Hickory,
NC), Noble; Jennifer (Fort Worth, TX), Stanush;
Andrew (Haltom City, TX), Dodd; Joseph K. (Lee's Summit,
MO) |
Assignee: |
Siecor Operations, LLC
(Hickory, NC)
|
Family
ID: |
21698114 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/001,847 |
Filed: |
December 31, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/57;
361/645 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
6/3825 (20130101); G02B 6/4452 (20130101); G02B
6/3897 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
6/38 (20060101); G02B 6/44 (20060101); H01H
009/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;174/57,50 ;361/645 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reichard; Dean A.
Claims
We claim:
1. An optical fiber connector cabinet, comprising:
(a) a housing defining a front plane that is generally
vertical;
(b) at least one adapter panel rotatably mounted on the housing and
rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation that is
generally parallel with the front plane of the housing; and
(c) at least one optical fiber connector adapter mounted to the at
least one adapter panel such that the angular position of the at
least one adapter relative to the front plane of the cabinet can be
varied by rotation of the adapter panel.
2. The connector cabinet of claim 1 wherein the axis of rotation is
substantially vertical.
3. The connector cabinet of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a
front wall that is parallel with the front plane of the housing and
the at least one adapter panel is rotatably mounted to the front
wall.
4. The connector cabinet of claim 3 wherein the adapter panel has a
first stud extending from the adapter panel and a second stud
extending opposite thereto that define an axis of rotation and the
first and second stud are rotatably mounted to the front wall.
5. The connector cabinet of claim 4 wherein the adapter panel
further comprises pieces that rotatably receive the first and
second studs and the pieces have fasteners for being fastened to
the front wall.
6. The connector cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a gimbal
ring that rotatably receives the adapter panel and that is
rotatably mounted to the housing such that the adapter is rotatable
about two axes each generally parallel with the front plane of the
housing.
7. The connector cabinet of claim 3 wherein the front wall has a
first ledge extending in a generally horizontal plane and a second
ledge spaced therefrom and extending generally parallel therewith,
and wherein the adapter panel is rotatably mounted between the
first and the second ledge.
8. The connector cabinet of claim 7 wherein the first ledge has a
compressible gasket located thereon to contact a horizontal surface
of the adapter panel and impart friction when the adapter panel is
rotated relative to the housing about a vertical axis.
9. The connector cabinet of claim 8 wherein the horizontal surface
of the adapter panel is spring biased against the gasket.
10. The connector cabinet of claim 9 wherein the adapter panel
further comprises a plunger fastener having a base mounted to one
end of the adapter panel and a plunger that is retracted against a
spring force in the fastener to be biased against one of the ledges
of the front wall in a direction that is parallel with the axis of
rotation of the adapter panel.
11. The connector cabinet of claim 1 wherein the adapter panel has
at least one detent position that can be overcome by rotation of
the adapter panel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fiber optic connector cabinets. In
one aspect, the present invention relates to a fiber optic
connector cabinet on which adapter panels are rotatably mounted to
allow for angular adjustment of the adapters relative to the
cabinet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber distribution frames are used in the fiber optic industry to
provide a point of interconnection between an array of incoming
optical fiber cables and an array of outgoing optical fibers.
Optimally, the fiber distribution frame allows reconfiguration of
the incoming fibers relative to the outgoing fibers to provide
flexibility in the optical fiber network. To achieve such
flexibility, fiber distribution frames typically are designed to
receive different types of cabinets on the frame that can be
arranged depending on the requirements of the specific network
being constructed. Such cabinets can include splice cabinets where
fibers are joined by a splicing technique and the splices are
organized and stored in trays in the splice cabinet. Another
cabinet is storage cabinets that organize and store excess cable
slack so as to prevent bending of the fiber cable beyond its
minimum bend radius.
Another commonly used cabinet is the coupler cabinet that has an
array of couplers for coupling a pair of optical fiber connectors
that are terminated on the ends of a respective pair of optical
fibers. One side of the array of couplers typically receives
connector-terminated incoming fiber cables and the other side of
the array of couplers will receive connector-terminated jumper
cables or outgoing fiber cables, or vice versa.
It is preferred that the array of couplers in the cabinet provide
for the following features: (1) ease of installation of connectors
on both sides of couplers, (2) insurance against exceeding minimum
bend radius of optical fiber cables, (3) accommodating a variety of
reconfigurations of the connectors on the array of couplers, and
(4) minimizing space required at the front of the coupler cabinet
for the optical fiber extending from the front of the array of
couplers.
In existing coupler cabinets for fiber distribution frames the
couplers are typically mounted in the cabinet and fixed relative to
the cabinet. For example, the couplers may be arrayed in a plane
parallel to the front face of the cabinet with each coupler
oriented perpendicular to the plane of the array. In such an
arrangement, the optical fiber extending from the front of the
array must be routed through a 90 degree turn to the coupler. In
another example, the coupler cabinet shown in FIG. 9 of U.S. Pat.
No. Re 34,955 has a front panel with the left half of the panel
having an array of adapters that hold couplers at a 45 degree angle
to the left, and the right half of the panel having an array of
adapters that hold couplers at a 45 degree angle to the right. In
such an arrangement, an optical fiber coming from the right side of
the frame cannot be routed to a coupler in an adapter in the left
half of the panel without the optical fiber having to be routed
through a sharp turn. Such arrangement is limited on its
accommodation of reconfigurations of connectors on the array of
couplers.
Therefore a need exists for a coupler cabinet that allows the angle
of the couplers relative to the array of couplers to be readily
adjusted facilitate installation and reconfiguration of connectors
to the array of couplers without exceeding the minimum bend radius
of the optical fiber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention provides an optical fiber
connector cabinet that comprises a housing defining a front plane
that is generally vertical and at least one adapter panel rotatably
mounted on the housing. The adapter panel is rotatable relative to
the housing about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel
with the front plane of the housing. At least one optical fiber
connector adapter is mounted to the at least one adapter panel such
that the angular position of the at least one adapter relative to
the front plane of the cabinet can be varied by rotation of the
adapter panel.
The present invention allows the angular position of the adapters
to be adjusted for optimal routing of jumpers to the adapters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the connector
cabinet of the present invention with the adapters oriented at 90
degrees to the front of the cabinet;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1 with the
adapters oriented at various angles with respect to the front of
the cabinet;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1 with some of
the adapters at 90 degrees to the front of the cabinet and some of
the adapters oriented at various angles with respect to the front
of the cabinet;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter panel used in the
cabinet of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side exploded view of an adapter panel of FIG. 4 and
cabinet of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the adapter panel of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7A is a top view illustrating a preferred orientation of an
adapter panel for routing a jumper;
FIG. 7B is a top view illustrating a non-preferred orientation of
an adapter panel resulting in a kink;
FIG. 7C is a top view illustrating a non-preferred orientation of
an adapter panel resulting in an excessive bend;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of a front wall
of a connector cabinet of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
adapter panel used in the front wall of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective of the front wall of FIG. 8
detailing the gasket and top pivot points;
FIG. 11A is a partial cross section of the adapter panel of FIG. 9
detailing the bottom pivot point;
FIG. 11B is a partial cross section of the adapter panel of FIG. 9
installed in the front wall of FIG. 8 detailing the top and bottom
pivot points;
FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of an adapter panel for use in
the front wall of FIG. 8;
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the gimbal assembly for use in an
alternative embodiment of a connector cabinet of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIGS. 1-7 one embodiment of a connector cabinet
10 of the present invention is shown. Cabinet 10 has mounting
flanges 12 for mounting to a frame as is well known and has housing
13 which is generally box shaped with top wall 14, bottom wall 16,
first side wall 18, and second side wall 20 all defining front
opening 22 and rear opening 24 opposite thereto. Cabinet 10 defines
a front plane generally perpendicular to the plane of top wall 14
and bottom wall 16.
Housing 13 also has front wall 26 mounted in front opening 22 which
has a plurality of mounting locations 28 to receive a plurality of
adapter panels 30 which carry a plurality of adapters 32. Adapter
panels 30 are pivotally mounted to pieces 33 which are attached to
front wall 26 by fastener 34, for example a plunger type fastener.
Other types of fasteners can be used in attaching pieces 33 to
front wall 26.
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, adapter panel 30 has front wall 36
that carries adapters 32 and side walls 38 extending back from side
40 of front wall 36. Adapter panel 30 also has top wall 42 and
bottom wall 44 from which extend top pivot stud 46 and bottom pivot
stud 48, respectively. Pivot studs 46, 48 have a partial circular
cross-section defining first flat 50. Piece 33 defines channel 52
with a cross-section generally corresponding to that of pivot studs
46, 48 and having second flat 54. Channel 52 is defined by flexible
arms 56 of piece 33 which also define opening 58 through which
pivot stud 46 can be snapped. Flats 50, 54 are oriented such that
when first flat 50 of stud 46 is disposed opposite second flat 54,
adapters 32 are oriented at 90 degrees with respect to the front
plane of the cabinet.
First and second flats 50, 54 create a detent that holds adapter
panels 30 in a detent position where adapters 32 are oriented at 90
degrees to the front plane of the cabinet. Arms 56 are sufficiently
flexible to allow adapter panel 30 to be rotated by hand about axis
60 extending through top pivot stud 46 and bottom pivot stud 48 and
out of its detent position, as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 6,
such that adapters 32 are at an angle with respect to the front
plane of the cabinet. Preferably, the friction between channels 52
and pivot studs 46, 48 is such to hold the adapter panel 30 at any
angle to which the adapter panel 30 is rotated by hand; however,
the friction could be such that adapter panel 30 freely rotates
once out of its detent position.
FIG. 1 shows the plurality of adapter panels 30 all in the detent
position. FIG. 2 shows six adapter panels on the left rotated to
orient the adapters at an angle to the left and six adapter panels
on the right rotated to orient the adapters at an angle to the
right. FIG. 3 shows six adapter panels on the left rotated to
orient the adapters toward the middle of the cabinet and the six
adapter panels on the right are in the detent position. The
particular angle can be any angle and each individual adapter panel
can be at a different angle than any other adapter panel. For
example, in FIG. 2, the adapter panel 30a which is furthest to the
right may be at 80 degrees with respect to the front plane of the
cabinet, adapter panel 30b at 70 degrees, adapter panel 30c at 60
degrees and so on. This allows the adapter panels to be oriented to
"aim" the adapters at the jumper management features on the side of
cabinet 10 to provide the smoothest routing path of a jumper from
the adapter to the management feature. Adapter panels 30 can be
oriented and reoriented as desired at any time whether it be before
installation, at installation and/or after installation. For
example, cabinets 10 may be shipped with the adapter panels in the
detent position as shown in FIG. 1, then the adapter panels can be
rotated toward the closest side of the cabinet before jumpers are
connected to the adapters as shown in FIG. 2, and then the adapter
panels can be "fine-tune" rotated with the jumpers connected, while
observing the jumpers to provide the smoothest routing path for the
jumpers.
With reference to FIGS. 7A-C, fine tune rotation of adapter panel
30 is illustrated to avoid kinking or excessive bending. FIG. 7A
shows adapter panel 30 rotated to a position where jumper 66 has a
smooth routing path through management feature 64 when connector 68
is connected to adapter 32. FIG. 7B shows adapter panel rotated too
far such that kink 70 results in jumper 66. To relieve the kink,
adapter panel 30 is simply rotated in a clockwise direction until
jumper 66 curves smoothly. FIG. 7B illustrates one potential
drawback of cabinets where the adapters are held at predetermined
angles. In the event that a new jumper with a connector that is
longer than connector 68 is installed, adapter panel 30 can be fine
tuned rotated to accommodate the longer connector and its effect on
the routing of the jumper. FIG. 7C illustrates excessive bend 72 in
jumper 66 that potentially could occur when the adapter panel is at
90 degrees to the front plane of the cabinet. To relieve this bend,
the adapter panel is simply rotated in the counter clockwise
direction until the jumper is routing through a smooth curve as in
FIG. 7A.
The use of pieces 33 allows adapter panels 30 to be used on
existing connector cabinet designs. The dimensions of adapter
panels 30 and location of plungers 34 are simply modified to fit
with an existing connector cabinet. Alternatively, a connector
cabinet could have channels 52 defined in front wall 26 to receive
the pivot studs of adapter panels 30 and thereby eliminate the need
for pieces 33.
With reference to FIGS. 8-11, a presently preferred embodiment of
front wall 80 and adapter panels 82 of a cabinet of the present
invention is shown. Front wall 80 has top ledge 84 and bottom ledge
86 opposite thereto. Top ledge 84 has underside 88 with a series of
studs 90 mounted thereto extending downward. With reference to FIG.
10 that shows a detail of underside 88, gasket strip 92 is affixed
to underside 88 and defines openings 94 through which studs 90
extend. Bottom ledge 86 has top surface 96 and defines a series of
holes 98 located such that each hole 98 is disposed vertically
under a respective stud 90.
Adapter panel 82 has front 100, sides 102, top surface 104 and
bottom surface 106. Front 100 defines cut-outs 108 to receive
adapters therein. Front 100 and sides 102 define comers 110 that
have openings 112 therein to provide finger grips 114. Top surface
104 defines hole 116 which is sized to receive stud 90
therethrough. The center of hole 116 coincides with pivot axis 118
of adapter panel 82.
With reference to FIGS. 11A-B, bottom surface 106 of adapter panel
82 defines opening 122 through which is mounted spring plunger
fastener 124. The preferred fastener 124 is available from PEM and
has body 126 within which plunger 128 is spring mounted and biased
to an extended position as shown in FIG. 11A and can be pressed to
a retracted position as shown in FIG. 11B when adapter panel 82 is
installed between bottom ledge 86 and top ledge 84. The bias force
of plunger 128 biases top surface 104 against gasket strip 92 to
induce friction against top surface 104 that helps retain adapter
panel 82 at any angle to which it is rotated by hand.
For installation, hole 116 is first located over a stud 90 and then
plunger 128 is pressed over bottom ledge 86 until plunger 128 snaps
into hole 98. Once installed as such, adapter panel 82 is freely
rotatable about axis 118 to orient the adapters at any angle. While
this embodiment does not incorporate a detent, one could readily be
added by, for example, having a projection on one of the ledges and
a mating indentation on the adapter panel to provide a detent
position for the adapter panel. Also, fastener 124 could be located
on the top of the adapter panel or on either ledge of the front
wall.
FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of adapter panel 82' that
has pull tab 132 that provides a gripping point to insert, remove
or rotate adapter panel 82'.
FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of mounting adapter 140 to
be pivotable relative to the cabinet with gimbal assembly 141.
Specifically, adapter 140 is snapped into first gimbal ring 142
which also doubles as an adapter panel 143 which has first pivot
axis 144 defined by first pegs 146. Pegs 146 are snapped into
second gimbal ring 148 which has second pivot axis 150 defined by
second pegs 152. Pegs 152 are snapped into gimbal frame 154 that
has flexible projections 156 that snap fit to a wall 158 through
opening 160. Wall 158 can be like a known statically mounted
adapter panel for mounting to the front wall or it may be the front
wall itself which has an array of openings 160 to hold a plurality
of gimbal assemblies 141. First and second pegs 146, 152 snap into
respective notches 164 that are shaped to receive pegs snap fit
therein and allow rotation of the pegs therein. First gimbal ring
142, or adapter panel 143, provides a horizontal axis of rotation
and second gimbal ring 148 provides a vertical axis of rotation.
Thus adapter 140 can be rotated about two axes to any angle
relative the front face of a cabinet. As an alternative, one of the
gimbal rings can be eliminated so that adapter 140 is only
pivotable about one axis. The remaining gimbal ring would simply be
adapted to receive the adapter and snap to the gimbal frame.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to
certain embodiments, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in
the art and its is intended that the present invention encompass
such changes, substitutions and modifications as fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *